Jan 18, 2013

University of Connecticut Sponsors Perennial Plant ConferenceSource: University of Connecticut

The University of Connecticut is sponsoring the “Perennial Plant Conference – A Conference for the Landscape and Horticulture Professional,” on March 21, 2013 at the Lewis B. Rome Commons on the University of Connecticut Storrs campus.

The conference will address a range of topics focusing on herbaceous perennial production, sustainable landscape design and retail marketing. Two educational sessions will feature nationally recognized speakers from industry and academia.

The speakers featured at the conference will include :

• Karen Bussolini, garden photographer, writer, eco-friendly garden coach from South Kent, Conn., speaking on Gardening with Kids: Opening Eyes and Doors.
• Ben Campbell, from the University of Connecticut, speaking on What Really Captures Consumers’ Eyes in the Retail Garden Center, Garden and Landscape?
• Margery Daughtrey, from Cornell University, Riverhead, N.Y., speaking on Diseases of Perennials – Pox on your Peonies? Rash on your Rudbeckias?
• Janet Draper, horticulturist, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., speaking on Evolution of a Space.
• Chris Hansen, from Great Garden Plants in Holland, Mich., speaking on Hot New Perennials for 2013 and Beyond.
• Ed Lyon from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, speaking on Changing Trends: Ornamental Edibles, New Audiences and More and Promise and Reality: Contemporary Marketing Issues.
• Michael Nadeau, from Michael Nadeau Wholistic Land Care Consulting, Sherman, Conn., speaking on Landscaping in Wetlands.
• Claudia West, from North Creek Nurseries in Landenberg, Pa., who will be speaking on The Landscape’s Color Spectrum: Applying Natural Color Theories to Design and Vegetated Stormwater Management Solutions: Inspired by Natural Plant Communities.

Program registration information can be found at www.2013perennial.uconn.edu.